MINNEAPOLIS — An overnight fire at a mosque in Minneapolis was caused by an electrical malfunction, according to police.
Minneapolis Police Public Information Officer John Elder said it was an electrical fire, which was not suspicious in nature.
Authorities say a neighbor spotted the fire overnight Sunday at Tawfiq Islamic Center on the 2900 block of Lyndale Avenue North and called for help.
Minneapolis Assistant Fire Chief Bryan Tyner confirms that crews responded around midnight to find fire in the entryway of the mosque. Firefighters were able to knock down the flames in approximately 10 minutes.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Minnesota) says damage to the mosque entrance is extensive, and there is water damage elsewhere in the building. Earlier in the day, before the cause was determined, the organization called for law enforcement to investigate the fire as a possible bias crime.
"Because of recent hate incidents nationwide and because the blaze occurred at a house of worship, we urge state and federal officials to use their full resources to investigate the cause of this fire to determine whether it was arson and if there was a possible bias motive," said Jaylani Hussein, executive director of CAIR-Minnesota. "Anyone who has information about this fire or saw anything suspicious at the time of the blaze should immediately contact law enforcement authorities."
Hussein added that CAIR-Minnesota was also concerned about recent rumors on social media that mosques have remained open during Minnesota's Stay at Home order, stories he calls false.
There were no victims or injuries to either visitors or firefighters. Firefighters were able to keep the fire contained to the entryway with minor damage.
